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The possibility of becoming your own boss , achieving personal fulfillment or increasing your income are very good reasons to decide to undertake. We are also confident that neither the ups and downs of the economy, nor the lack of capital or business experience will stop your path to independence. Of course, you must consider the context, analyze the market you want to target and identify your skills and talents as an entrepreneur before starting.
Now, where do you start? For this article, we select five lines that in recent years have shown a positive growth trend: children, eco-businesses, technology, pets, and food and beverages . The goal is for you to find inspiration and tools to join any of them in 2021.
In addition, in each of the 10 ideas you will find data that confirms that there is an area of opportunity to innovate in a certain niche, basic advice on how to start and develop a concept, as well as an example of national or international success. It is a selection from the vast collection of Entrepreneur’s 100 Entrepreneurship Ideas section, which is fed every week with the newest business models on the market.
Do you need anything else to get into action? Take into account that for more than 27 years, Entrepreneur en Español has published hundreds of success stories through its different platforms, confirming that Mexico is the cradle of entrepreneurs. What if you were the next interviewee who shared their experience with our entire audience?
Perhaps the time has come for you to make the most important decision of your life, you just need an idea that you are passionate about and that motivates you to turn it into a company that transcends.
1. CHILDREN: Online toy outlet
WHY?
Data from the Euromonitor agency (2015) indicate that the market value of traditional toys and games in Mexico has had an average annual growth of 6.3% in recent years. Another fact to take into account: in 2020 the Three Wise Men allocated between $ 1,500 and $ 4,000 for the purchase of gifts for each child. And the best thing is that the majority of the toy consuming public is made up of infants under 12 years of age, who not only receive this type of presents at Christmas and New Years. You also have to count the child’s day, birthdays, baptisms, first communions, etc.
HOW?
The first advantage of this business model is that you can set it up in an online format and complement it with a physical model (commercial store) or mobile (a stand that can be located in squares, fairs or bazaars). But first you must find good suppliers of legal, quality toys that offer you a wide variety, as well as competitive prices and credit. The rest will depend on doing your own development or joining ecommerce platforms ready to market your products.
2. INFANT: Workshop on emotions for children
WHY?
According to UNICEF, 62% of children in Mexico have suffered some type of abuse at home. In the school environment, at least 10.1% of high school students have experienced the trauma of being attacked, either physically or verbally. In this sense, more and more parents pay special attention to the emotional development of their children. Therefore, if you have training in child psychology and are looking for other ways to increase your income, one option is to offer emotions workshops for children.
HOW?
Rent a place near schools and residential areas mainly and invest in its adaptation, taking care of details such as decoration and furniture. This will help you build trust and empathy with your audience (both children and parents). To lower the cost, you can invite other colleagues to be part of the project. While to position yourself in the market, the recommendation is to make alliances with educational centers and offer your specialized services, such as emotional assessments and language therapy.
3. BUSINESSES: Delivery of organic food
WHY?
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (Sagarpa) published that Mexico is the fourth world producer of organic food, with 2.3 million producers and 169,000 hectares, being Oaxaca, Chiapas and Michoacán the states that concentrate almost 50 % of the area devoted to this activity. If you are interested in being part of a market that in 2016 (as of April) exported mainly to the United States and the European Union US $ 49 million, then become a distributor of organic fruits and vegetables at home.
HOW?
Get in touch with producers who have the National Organic Distinction issued by Sagarpa. On their website you will find a list of all of them, which will facilitate your search and provide guarantees to your buyers. Then, set up a portal where you can publish your complete catalog, as well as a blog space with relevant content and contact information for your company. Schedule the delivery of orders weekly or biweekly and offers various forms of payment. You can outsource the distribution or invest in the purchase of a utility vehicle.
4. BUSINESSES: Dry car wash
WHY?
Washing a car requires about 320 liters of water; Therefore, the expense of cleaning more than 70,000 vehicles per month, as the large companies do, is equivalent to 210 million of the vital liquid. The good news is that eco-friendly business models have emerged in the market in this field. In this way, the car dry cleaning system was developed, a trend that has become popular in countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.
HOW?
You can start this business with a low investment, it is easy to set up and requires operating personnel that will grow according to customer demand. The added value of this center is that it uses dry cleaning products made from a polymer that encapsulates and lifts dust particles. The auxiliary supplies are: buckets, flannels, brushes, sponges, polishing wax, degreasers and polishes. Choosing a good location will be key to success, such as shopping malls, supermarket parking lots, theaters or residential areas.
5. TECHNOLOGY: Cell phone repair
WHY?
It is estimated that Mexico closed 2016 with the sale of 35 million smartphones. The reason: it is becoming easier to get the latest technology at a relatively low price. According to the IDC firm, a prepaid mobile device is priced at about $ 2,800. This phenomenon has generated new needs in users, such as repair services, software updates, information recovery and backup, and immediate battery recharges.
HOW?
An alternative for those who wish to undertake thanks to the wave of massive smartphone consumption is to invest in a cell phone service and sales kiosk.The advantage of this model is that it is low-investment and can be located in shopping malls where there is a high flow of people . Add value to your business by selling cases, protective lenses, chargers and other items for mobile phones. You can also offer home and emergency service.
6. TECHNOLOGY: Drone rental
WHY?
In recent years, drones have become a trend that encompasses a wide audience, from young people looking to spend hours of fun piloting via remote control to those who use them in photographic or film projects. The advantage of these devices is that there are different models on the market, and their characteristics can be customized: materials, motors, accessories, types of remote control, etc. And although most users cannot easily acquire their own, they are willing to rent them for hours or days.
HOW?
Contact suppliers to integrate a catalog of versatile models; Then, set up a website and activate profiles on social networks to make your offer known to two key audiences: children, young people and families who are looking for new entertainment options; and corporate clients (agencies and production companies in need of aerial shots and videos but with limited budgets).
7. PETS: Dog camp
WHY?
This new way of living with pets by treating them as part of the family has made more and more owners who seek to pamper them with clothing, accessories and other amenities , mainly luxury. One service that is gaining strength is the dog camp. Unlike a boarding house or training school, here canines coexist with nature in a controlled and safe environment. It is an experience for the new kings of the home.
HOW?
It is necessary to have a property in or on the outskirts of the city, as well as to have a special budget to carry out all kinds of adaptations to guarantee the safety and comfort of the dogs. The above includes: field areas for walks, dining room (with chef and diets included), basic hospital, gym, garden and individual houses. Consider at least two or three trainers or staff trainers, not forgetting a GP. And as demand grows in peak seasons (holidays and weekends), add support staff.
8. PETS: Parties for pets
WHY?
It is estimated that the sale of products and services for pets in Mexico accounts for $ 2.3 billion annually. In this way, pet owners spend between $ 5,000 and $ 7,000 a year on food and accessories for their dogs and cats. If you like animals, a good option to undertake is to offer the services of organizing parties for pets.
This business idea consists of planning the celebration and providing everything necessary for the birthday boy and his guests.
HOW?
You can operate from home if you have a garden or patio. Or, go directly to the home of the celebrant. Another important point is to look for suppliers of special food and drinks for pets, as well as decoration accessories. Service costs can start from $ 90 per guest and go up to $ 150, depending on the amenities – premium food , gifts, hiring an entertainer and DJ, etc -. Complement your offer with food, drinks and small gifts for pet owners.
9. FOOD AND DRINKS: Taquería drive – thru
WHY?
For the fifth consecutive year, tacos are ranked as the favorite dish of Mexicans. And it is an accessible food for everyone, since there are prices that do not exceed $ 10 per piece, to gourmet modalities that can cost up to $ 70. While it is true that it seems that selling tacos stopped being a profitable business due to the oversupply, it is also true that there is an area of opportunity when adding value to the offer. For example, the possibility for the customer to order and consume their tacos without having to get out of their car.
HOW?
Get a space of at least 80 m2 in a busy corner so that vehicles can enter, circulate and leave the establishment freely surrounding it. You must also have radio communication equipment, an illuminated menu displayed outside the premises, a professional kitchen team and at least 10 plant employees. For standing diners you can offer the service on site , with tables and chairs, as well as a large bar with benches.
10. FOOD AND DRINKS: Pizzeria on the go
WHY?
According to calculations by the Hospitality Portfolio of UBM Mexico, in the country 120 million pizzas are consumed per year on average. This figure places Mexico as the second consumer worldwide, only surpassed by the United States with 650 million. Currently, there are about 30,000 pizzerias nationwide. In the midst of this large number, the pizzeria al paso format is one of the most profitable, since its added value lies in the sale of slices to go.
HOW?
Get a place located on a street very busy with pedestrians, preferably on a corner or near a park, schools or offices. As for the infrastructure, consider an oven to make pizzas, shelves to store supplies, refrigerator for food and drinks, counter, cash register and a couple of tables with chairs. You will need a couple of employees: one who makes the pizzas all the time and the other focused on dispatching, collecting and providing customer service. In a second stage, it offers home delivery.
We hope that this tour of the best opportunities in the market has awakened your entrepreneurial spirit. Now you have to take the next step.